Friendly Neighborhood Historian

Where did they begin, how have they changed over the centuries, and why do we do it at the beginning of the year? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-new-years-resolutions #Resolutions #NewYear

The history of this little monk, and the popularization of his story throughout the centuries. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-telemachus #StTelemachus #Rome #GladiatorialGames #History

It wasn't always on this date. Here is the history behind how this holiday moved from March to January. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-new-years-day #NewYear #NewYearsDay #Calendar #History

What are the ancient origins and modern traditions of this end-of-the-year celebration? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-new-years-eve #NewYearsEve #StSylvester #Champagne #Kissing

What does the song mean, what is its origin, how did it become popular, and why do we sing it on New Year's Eve. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-auld-lang-syne #AuldLangSyne #NewYearsEve #Music

Commemorating the killing of innocent children under King Herod. When was the Children's Mass first observed, and what was its origin? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-childermas #Childermas #Christmas #KingHerod

December 27 is National Fruitcake Day. What is its origin, how does it differ from country to country, why does it last so long, what do people in Colorado do with it? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-fruitcake #Fruitcake #Holiday #Colorado

What is the background of this quintessential British holiday, how is it related to King Wenceslaus and the Feast of St. Stephen? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-boxing-day #BoxingDay #Wenceslaus #StStephen

The historical, political, and religious background of this popular Jewish celebration. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-chanukah #Chanukah #Hanukkah #Jewish #FestivalOfLights

How a surprise attack by General George Washington on Christmas was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-the-first-american-christmas-1776 #Christmas #1776 #GeorgeWashington #Deleware

My father was at the last German offensive on the Western Front of World War II 80 years ago. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-christmas-eve-and-the-battle-of-the-bulge #BattleOfTheBulge #WorldWarII #ChristmasEve #1944

How a typo began Christmas tracking at NORAD, and how the military, celebrities, and airmen supported it. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-santa-tracker #SantaTracker #Christmas #NORAD #History

What does Solstice mean, and how does it usher in Winter? Blog: https://billpetro.com/science-of-winter-solstice #Solstice #Science #History #Winter

5 Christmas Myths, Not Found in the Nativity Story. A fresh look at what the biblical sources say. Blog: https://billpetro.com/5-christmas-myths #Christmas #Myths

The Background, historical context, and impact of the Dickens classic. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-a-christmas-carol #Christmas #AChristmasCarol #Dickens

Debuting on December 18, 1892, how did a ballet become a perennial Christmas favorite? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-the-nutcracker #Nutcracker #Christmas #Tchaikovsky

The definitive answer to the contested question, using ancient history, linguistic legerdemain, modern science, political insight, and contemporary film criticism. Blog: https://billpetro.com/die-hard-a-christmas-movie #DieHard #Christmas #Satire

Were there natural astronomical phenomena at the time of the Nativity, or was the Bethlehem Star supernatural? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-christmas-star #Christmas #Star #BethlehemStar

Who is St. Lucy and how does Sweden's December 13th Luciadagen relate to Sicily? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-santa-lucia #Christmas #StLucy #Luciadagen

The history of the "Christmas flower" from its origin in Mexico to its popularity in the US. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-poinsettia #Christmas #Poinsettia #ChristmasFlower

How did this Ukrainian folk song become such a popular American Christmas carol? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-carol-of-the-bells #Christmas #Carols #CarolOfTheBells

What are its Greco-Roman, Norse, and Christian traditional roots of Mistletoe. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-mistletoe #Christmas #Mistletoe #Norse

How a holiday TV favorite almost didn't get made over half a century ago, and why it's so enduring. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-a-charlie-brown-christmas/ #Christmas #CharlieBrown

How has the use of the Christmas Tree changed through the centuries, from its pagan, Medieval, Renaissance, English, and American use. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-christmas-tree/ #Christmas #ChristmasTree

What was the early origin of the creche, where did the word come from, how did it develop over time, and why do we celebrate the Nativity scene as we do? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-creche/ #Christmas #Creche #Manger